Hunterboy


Scene Analysis

September 30, 2010



Lost In Translation

Sofia Coppola


1 Movie Overview

Lost in Translation is direct by Sofia Coppola. This film is the second film of her work after < Virgin suicide >. All scenes are taken on Japan during 27 days. And its budget is only 400 million dollars.

The film is about a romantic story between two lonely people. Bob Harris is an American film actor, far past his prime. He visits Tokyo to appear in commercials, and he meets Charlotte, the young wife of a visiting photographer. Bored and weary, Bob and Charlotte make ideal if improbable traveling companions. Charlotte is looking for "her place in life," and Bob is tolerating a mediocre stateside marriage. Both separately and together, they live the experience of the American in Tokyo. Bob and Charlotte suffer both confusion and hilarity due to the cultural and language differences between themselves and the Japanese. As the relationship between Bob and Charlotte deepens, they come to the realization that their visits to Japan, and one another, must soon end.

The scene is show they embrace as Bob whispers something in the tearful Charlotte’s ear. They kill, say goodbye and Bob departs. This scene is not follow old style romance film which have a good ending. They are leaving each other.

2 Shot Analysis


Shot 1 30 seconds


Shot Size: shoots include medium shot and chose up shot.


Sound: The sounds in this shot are some whisper words between two characters, and noise from the Street. Bob hug with charlotte, put his head to her ear say something words. After this, Charlotte was emotional. They kiss each other and say “goodbye”.

Contrast Dominants: The contrast in this shot is people’ move at the background, Bob and Charlotte stand together face to face. It mean Bob will leave her, they are not both belong to this City. This medium shot focus on their faces.

Camera Movement: The camera move slowly. We can feel their emotion which is leaving.

Camera Angle: an even eye level. It shows their feelings. It attracts audiences’ eyes.
Depth of Field: The depth of field in this scene change frequently. When it zoom in, only take the two characters, after zoom out, whole street image are taken, include walker.
Lighting: The lighting in this shot is very low, it is only natural lighting.
Colour Usage: Natural color. Natural color can describe their feeling at that time. They are ready to leave each other.
Editing Style: camera is rapidly cut to make audience see their face and their body language. When they kiss, the film increase to the high point. It express their feelings at that time.
Time: From Bob found Charlotte to a short whisper, then they kissed and said goodbye, it lasts 30 seconds around. It is use short time to express main opinion that leave and love.
Subtext: All the information we gather from this scene we could understand that Bob and Charlotte both found they are not belong to each other, they have own families.

They have a good memory on these days, and miss each in the future.



Shot Size: Close up to long shot.


Sound: Noise from the street. Music “Like Honey” start playing.

Character Movement: Bob kiss and say “goodbye” to charlotte; Bob is focus charlotte’ leave, and go back taxi to departure.
Camera Angle: From the high level to the level, take whole image of Bob and walker.
Depth of Field: camera is focus on Bob’s face. We can found Bob is smiling on his face, maybe for his leaving or for Charlotte.
Lighting: It use the low lighting in this scene. I think it mean it is time to leave.
Colour Usage: There are a lot of colours are used in this shot, demonstrated by the view of Tokyo. These colors mean the different life to two characters.
Editing Style: The camera move and cut are slow. Bob know he must leave, Charlotte also know they couldn’t be together.
Time: From Bob see Charlotte’s leave and go back taxi, it lasts 30 seconds around. It express their relationship. He still take care of her.
Subtext: All the information we gather from this scene make us understand the emotion between them. Bob and Charlotte both found they are not belong to each other, they have own lifestyle.

They have a good memory on these days, and miss each in the future.